About books, reading, the power of fiction, some music, some movies. These are my opinions, my thoughts, my views. There is much wisdom afloat in the world and I like finding it in books. Communicating about wisdom found keeps it from getting lost.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

PNIN

Professor Timofey Pnin is a Russian immigrant who came to America via Europe, particularly Paris, and in this account is teaching Russian at small Waindell College in New England. This short novel is more a collection of stories about Pnin. Nabakov puts the reader into the mind and heart of a man who has lost much but continues on in his sometimes endearing, sometimes ridiculous way.

I found the book easy to read, unlike some of Nabokov's other novels, and I wanted always to know more about Pnin, what happened to his sad and crazy wife, how he would get along with the artistic genius who is his son. By the end when Pnin suffers yet another blow in his tortured life, I felt I had been living with these characters at Waindell College. I could have gone to the party Pnin hosted at one of his many dwellings and got on just fine.

The wonder of Nabokov is how he can capture so much in so few words. It is like taking dried foods and adding water to reconstitute all the richness and flavor. Just add a reader and out of the book comes so much experience, location, character and emotion.

Find Local Bookstores

ONCE UPON A TIME BOOKSTORE

This blog is linked to Once Upon A Time Bookstore in Montrose, CA, where I worked for several years. It is primarily a resource for customers to read my book reviews but anyone can now order books from the store via my blog. For store events, reading group schedules and other store info please visit the website.

You can now order any title reviewed here (as long as it is in print) in various formats including ebook. To order directly from Once Upon A Time, use the link at the bottom of the post. To order or find the book at your nearest local independent store, click on the book cover image at the top of the post.